TO HIS GARDENER 39 



them and when I observed what they had done while I was 

 from them, yet they could not please when I was gone and got 

 so many names that they would not stay, the hearing of which 

 made others disappoint you after you had engaged them. I 

 think this was the chief reason you gave me, and it is right 

 that Patr: and Sir John ^ should know it, for you may believe 

 that you was complained of to them upon that occasion as you 

 know you was to me. The blame now for a man not being 

 got in Hunter's room, will also be laid at your door. So if you 

 won't lay the Saddle on the right horse, you must take it 

 upon your own back, and well will you deserve it. I assure 

 you I shan't help to take it off if you tamely like to bear it. 



XII 



Charles, — I had j ust sent a letter for Alex'* Wight to No date. 

 London when I received yours of 18^^ Dec*". I don't know if 

 I shall get this thither to the Post to night for our post who 

 comes here afoot twice a day and returns at last to London 

 may not care to go this night, for I have never seen more 

 Snow fall than does at present. It comes seasonably before 

 Christmas is quite over. I don't know what way you took to 

 convey your Letter which has made it come so late to me. I 

 never heard of your being to return, and much less of your 

 being returned, from any but Alex*" Wight, and my reason for 

 not answering a Letter I had some months ago, was that I 

 found you had been told a story in which there was not one 

 word of truth and I am sure none could with any foundation 

 either tell you that I would be angry or satisfied with your 

 return. Your going down^ discovered that the design had 



^ They acted as Cockburn's factors. Sir John Inglis here married John Cock- 

 burn's sister, Anne. An earlier Sir John Inglis (d. 1689) was the first husband of 

 Anne Houston, who, when a widow for the second time, was Adam Cockburn's 

 second wife. Her daughter. Jennet Inglis, was John Cockburn's half-sister, and 

 became the second wife of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik {Memoirs^ Scottish 

 History Society). Baron Clerk was also a member of the Ormistoun club, as 

 himself an ardent 'improver.' 



'^ ' Your going down ' (to Scotland). This, about Bell's having been in London 

 and strained relations, offers material for an ingenious puzzle. 



